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Archive for January, 2017

JAMES BLUNT WILL RELEASE A BRAND NEW ALBUM ‘THE AFTERLOVE’ ON MARCH 24TH

Britain’s very own Twitter all-star is back… James Blunt will release his 5th studio album, ‘The Afterlove’ on March 24th through Atlantic Records. The new album is the follow-up to ‘Moon Landing’, which reached platinum status in the UK, spent 33 weeks in the UK Top 40 and has sold over 1.2 million sales worldwide since its release in 2013.

James Blunt will also be embarking on a UK headline tour, The Afterlove Tour, which includes a date at London’s Eventim Apollo. This is the first tour for James following his extensive Moon Landing Tour, which saw him perform over 140 shows across the world over the course of twelve months which started in Dublin’s Vicar Street Feb 2014 and also saw him play 3Arena in Nov 2014

James Blunt has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and 12.8 million singles. He’s also amassed over 625 million views on YouTube and over 680 million global streams on streaming platforms.

ED CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE CHARTS WORLDWIDE WITH “SHAPE OF YOU” & “CASTLE ON THE HILL” (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

÷ (DIVIDE) OUT ON 3RD MARCH 2017

Set to be one of the most highly-anticipated tours of 2017, Ed Sheeran has announced an array of tour dates for the UK, Ireland, Europe. The tour will kick-off in Italy on March 17 and Ed will play 3Arena Dublin for two nights on 12th & 13th April, marking his first shows in Ireland since his two sold out dates at Croke Park in 2015. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 2nd February at 10am from Ticketmaster and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

The touring news comes straight off the back of a phenomenal few weeks for 25-year-old Ed Sheeran. Kicking-off music in 2017 and delivering the biggest musical comeback in recent years, Ed’s dual singles “Shape Of You” and “Castle On The Hill” have taken the globe by storm, hitting the #1 and #2 spots across the charts worldwide while seeing the Suffolk native break a magnitude of records along the way. On course to cement his third week at #1 & #2 respectively in the UK’s Official Singles Chart tomorrow [Ed made OCC history as the first-ever artist to land the two spots respectively with two brand new tracks], Ed recently conquered more milestones in the USA after landing his first-ever #1 as a performer on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Shape Of You” – with “Castle On The Hill” sitting closely behind at #6 on the chart, Ed also became the first artist to debut in Billboard’s ‘Top 10’ with two songs simultaneously. Not to mention the huge assortment of Spotify records broken by the troubadour this month, making history with their biggest-ever ‘one week’ and ‘one day’ streams for a track, globally with “Shape Of You” (the records were previously held by Drake’s “One Dance” and Adele’s “Hello”, respectively). Moreover, Ed topped the streaming service’s biggest-ever opening 24 hour streams with both singles, surpassing previous title holders, One Direction. Reaching 132 combined #1 iTunes positions around the world and accomplishing Apple Music’s biggest-ever ‘day’ and ‘one week’ streams, the two singles have accumulated over 370 MILLION worldwide streams to date. Launched on Monday, Ed’s official video for “Castle On The Hill”, which was shot in his native Framlingham, Suffolk, has already reached over 10 million hits!

In addition to Ed’s epic rise with his recorded music, the Suffolk-born artist has also broken records in the live sphere over recent years. In July 2015 Ed took to the stage of Wembley Stadium, solo, becoming the first-ever artist to headline the prestigious venue without a band – with just his trademark loop pedal and guitar – seeing him play to 240,000 people over three consecutive sold-out nights! Securing a very special collaboration with Sir Elton John on the opening night, Ed followed with the release of his live DVD ‘Jumpers for Goalposts’ at the end of 2015, documenting the lead-up and live performances from the Wembley weekend. Moreover, not only has Ed caught the headlines with his phenomenal solo concerts, he’s also been involved in an array of spellbinding collaborative performances over his career to date, further proving his colossal status in the musical world – in 2012, Ed performed at the London Olympics’ closing ceremony alongside members of Pink Floyd and Genesis for a very special version of “Wish You Were Here” and in 2015, Ed shared the stage with Beyonce and Gary Clark Jr. at that year’s Grammy tribute for Stevie Wonder.

Ed Sheeran’s genre-defying third studio album ÷ (divide) will be released on 3rd March through Asylum/Atlantic Records (available to pre-order http://bit.ly/DIVIDESHOP).

Tickets for Ed Sheeran at 3Arena Dublin on 12th & 13th April 2017 go on sale on Thursday 2nd February at 10am and will be available from:

“SHAPE OF YOU” & “CASTLE ON THE HILL” REMAIN AT #1 & #2 IN IRELAND’S OFFICIAL CHARTS FOR THE 2nd WEEK
ED LANDS HIS FIRST US #1 WITH “SHAPE OF YOU”

Chart-topping Ed Sheeran has unveiled the official video for “Castle On The Hill”. Shot in his native Framlingham, Suffolk, and directed by George Belfield, the coming-of-age video is a snapshot into Ed’s teen years alongside scenes of him returning home; the perfect accompaniment to the song’s beautifully honest storytelling.

Over the past two weeks, Ed has taken the globe by storm with the biggest musical comeback in recent years. Holding the #1 & #2 positions for the second week in the UK and Ireland’s Official Singles Chart [Ed made history as the first-ever artist to land the two spots respectively with two brand new tracks], last week, 25-year-old Ed accomplished yet more record-breaking acclaim: landing his first US #1 as a performer on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Shape Of You”. He also became the first artist ever to debut in Billboard’s Top 10 with two songs simultaneously, with “Castle On The Hill” debuting at #6.

To date, “Shape Of You” and “Castle On The Hill” have accumulated over an astounding 370 million combined, worldwide streams. Ed Sheeran’s third studio album ÷ (divide) will be released on 3rd March through Asylum/Atlantic Records (available to pre-order now).

Features 21 Hits From The World’s Biggest Superstars And Emerging Talent

The Recording Academy®’s GRAMMY Recordings® and Atlantic Records announce the release of the 2017 GRAMMY® Nominees album — which is now available in stores and via all digital retailers.

The 23rd installment of the best-selling series features 21 GRAMMY-nominated artists and hit songs from the world’s biggest superstars and hottest emerging talent, including Album Of The Year nominees Adele, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Drake, and Sturgill Simpson and Best New Artist nominees Kelsea Ballerini, The Chainsmokers, Maren Morris, and Anderson .Paak, among others.

A portion of the proceeds from album sales will benefit the year-round efforts of the GRAMMY Museum Foundation™ and MusiCares Foundation® — The Recording Academy-affiliated charitable organizations focused on music education programs and critical assistance for music people in need.

The 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live on CBS at 8p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Multiple Grammy and BRIT Award-winning international mega-star, Ed Sheeran, has kicked-off music in 2017, unveiling TWO brand new singles – “Castle On The Hill” and “Shape Of You” – out now on Asylum Records and available through iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music here.

Ed Sheeran’s two comeback singles – “Castle On The Hill” and “Shape Of You” – mark a hugely exciting return and another forward-thinking move for the multi award-winning, modern-day troubadour. Unveiled in the early hours of this morning, the singles are Ed’s first releases since 2015 and showcase two very different sides to his unparalleled musical palate. “Castle On The Hill”, written by Ed and Benny Blanco (also on production), pays homage to growing up in Framlingham, Suffolk. Driving beats and Springsteen-esque riffs collide to create another stadium-ready anthem. “Shape Of You”, written by Ed, Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac (also on production), dismantles and rebuilds modern-pop music using little more than a loop pedal. The record is an extension of the sound for which Ed’s become so well-known and has set him apart from his peers – something he first showcased in 2010 with his pivotal SBTV live performance of “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You”, and executed on his debut EP ‘No.5 Collaborations Project’ (staring an array of grime artists including Wretch 32, Wiley + more), following in 2011.

Speaking about his monumental comeback, 25-year-old Ed commented – “Hello 2017! I’ve been working hard on the new material and I hope you can be as excited about it as I am. I really wanted to show two different sides to my music that I’m equally as passionate about and I just knew I wanted to roll with two songs at the same time. I’m absolutely buzzing to be back.”

Despite being out of the spotlight for a year on a well-deserved break, Ed’s name was still associated with some of 2016’s biggest hits. As one of the world’s most in-demand songwriters, he penned “Cold Water” for Major Lazer and “Love Yourself” for Justin Bieber; further proving his versatility and unique flair for penning global #1 records. Rewind to June 2014 to see Sheeran releasing his second studio album ‘x’ (pronounced “multiply”,) which has gone onto become one of the most significant and record-breaking albums of this millennium! Bolstered by the likes of Rick Rubin, Pharrell Williams and Benny Blanco on production, ‘x’ charted at #1 both sides of the Atlantic upon release, landed a further 95 #1 slots on iTunes across the globe and spawned his global no. 1, biggest-selling single to date – “Thinking Out Loud”. ‘x’ has now landed a staggering 90 x platinum certifications worldwide and was recently named one of the Official Chart Company’s biggest-selling albums of all time, having amassed over 3.4 BILLION streams! Breaking through to the mainstream in 2011 with his debut album ‘+’ (“plus”), the Suffolk native quickly made a name for himself as one of the hottest up-and-coming talents of that year, setting his musical trajectory to an extraordinary level from the off; Ed won his first Ivor Novello Award in 2011 for his breakthrough single “The A Team”, which also went onto become that year’s biggest-selling debut single.

*Please see below for a wealth of Ed’s record-breaking accolades across his two albums: ‘x’ & ‘+’*
In addition to Ed’s epic rise with his recorded music, the Suffolk-born artist has also broken records in the live sphere over recent years. Ed took to the stage of Croke Park, solo, in July 2015, becoming the first-ever artist to headline the prestigious venue without a band – with just his trademark loop pedal and guitar – seeing him play to 160,000 people over three consecutive sold-out nights! He followed with a live DVD titled ‘Jumpers for Goalposts’ at the end of 2015, which documented the lead-up to the Wembley weekend, including an array of live performances. Moreover, not only has Ed caught the headlines with his phenomenal solo concerts, he’s also been involved in an array of spellbinding collaborative performances over his career to date. In 2012, Ed performed at the London Olympics’ closing ceremony alongside members of Pink Floyd and Genesis for a very special version of “Wish You Were Here”. Go to 2015 and not only did Ed share the stage with Beyonce and Gary Clark Jr. at that year’s Grammy tribute for Stevie Wonder, at the aforementioned Wembley Stadium shows, Ed performed with Sir Elton John on the opening night, further proving his colossal status in the musical world.

Ed Sheeran, who was awarded an honouree degree from University Campus Suffolk in 2015 for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’, has won an astonishing array of awards during his flourishing career to date. Sheeran is now the proud possessor of: 4 x BRIT Awards, 2 x Grammys, 2 x Ivor Novello’s, 1 x Q Award, 1 x MTV VMA Award, 1 x American Music Award, 1 x BBC Music Award, 2 x People’s Choice Awards, 3 x Teen Choice Awards, 2 x MTV European Music Awards, 1 x 1Xtra Power List and more. Adding further strings to his bow, he also unveiled his very own record label ‘Gingerbread Man Records’ last year (a subsidiary of Atlantic Records UK), which has kick-started the burgeoning career of #1 recording artist and Ivor Novello-winning, Jamie Lawson, along with the inimitable talent that is Foy Vance.

As Ed kicks-off music in 2017, watch this space to see one of the world’s most-loved, talented and in-demand recording artists continue to make history.

‘x’ (“multiply”) – 2014
• Ed worked with Rick Rubin, Pharrell Williams and Benny Blanco on the LP
• Charted at #1 on both sides of the Atlantic upon release
• Landed 95 x #1 spots on iTunes across the globe
• 14 x Platinum in Ireland // 90 x platinum certifications, worldwide
• 13 million global sales
• 3.4 billion streams to date
• 2014’s Christmas #1 album
• Spent 84 consecutive weeks in the Top Ten In Ireland
• 2014’s most-streamed album on Spotify, globally
• Longest consecutive reign in the UK’s Top 10 Official Albums Chart for a British artist ever at 77 weeks (taking over Adele’s “21”)
• Biggest-ever ‘week one’ album streams in Spotify history (up until very recently) with 23 million & went onto become the most continuously played album on Spotify since release
• One of the Official Chart Company’s 60 biggest-selling albums of all time with 13 million global sales
• ‘Album of the Year’, BRIT Awards (2015) // ‘Songwriting of the Year’, Ivor Novello’s (2015)
• In the summer of 2015 – a year on from release – ‘x’ was still the most-streamed album in the world
• The album spawned an array of colossal #1 singles including the 18 x platinum “Sing”, the 18 x platinum “Don’t”, “I See Fire” (soundtracked The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug), “Photograph”, “Bloodstream” and the timeless 68 x platinum “Thinking Out Loud”
“Thinking Out Loud”
– First song ever to reach 500 million Spotify streams (over 780 million streams to date)
– #1 on iTunes in 85 markets upon release
– Won 2 x Grammy Awards in 2016: ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Best Solo Pop Performance’
– BMI Award for ‘Song of the Year’ last October
– 1.5 billion hits on the official video

‘+’ (“plus”) – 2011
• 8.8 million global sales
• Spawned Sheeran’s breakthrough single “The A Team”
• 45 x platinum certifications, worldwide
• The album was home to Sheeran’s other breakthrough hit singles: “Lego House”, “Small Bump”, “Give Me Love” and “Drunk”
“The A Team”
– won ‘Best Song Musically and Lyrically’ at the Ivor Novello’s (2011)
– Best-selling debut single of the year in UK

Incredible collaborations with Zayn (only featured artist on his debut album), Chance The Rapper & Featured on The Suicide Squad soundtrack

Kehlani tells it like it is. Whether in conversation or on stage, the Oakland-born R&B singer and songwriter gives the straight truth about her life, pain, passion, love, triumph, and everything in between with collected calm and confidence. It’s that type of honesty that makes her music resonate with the depth of classic Motown and a vividly confessional lyricism reminiscent of Neo Soul. At the same time, her 2015 mixtape, ‘You Should Be Here’, tells a story that distinctly belongs to her.

In late April 2015 she shared ‘You Should Be Here’ Mixtape with the world, which earned Kehlani her very first GRAMMY nomination at the 58th GRAMMY Awards for “Best Urban Contemporary Album.” Upon its release Billboard immediately called this project “The year’s first great R&B album”. Amongst their great review, You Should Be Here has seen quite a bit of success on the charts. Aside from being the top R&B debut of the week, it also came in at #1 on the US iTunes R&B/Soul chart and #2 on both the US Overall R&B Albums and Current R&B Albums chart.

And most recently she features in the ‘Best Album category’ at 2016 GRAMMYs and for ‘Gangsta’ off of the ‘Suicide Squad’ Soundtrack for 2017 GRAMMYs.
KEHLANI’s highly-anticipated debut album SWEETSEXYSAVAGE – available for pre-order now. All album pre-orders will receive 3 instant grat tracks – “CRZY,” “Distraction,” & “Advice”

The album and official tour announcement follows the release of KEHLANI’s sexy visual for “Distraction.” The video has seen quite a bit of success thus far bringing in 11.5 million views.